A Swiss study finds recycling cement waste is the best way to cut CO2 emissions from cement production. This method reduces emissions by 15%, making it the most effective of ten tested technologies.

Recycling cement involves using old concrete from demolished buildings and infrastructure. This process permanently mineralizes the cement with CO2 from the air and emissions. The study shows this method could have reduced global emissions by 0.8% in 2020.

Researchers from Imperial College London led the study, with Swiss teams from Empa and EPFL contributing. Empa’s report states construction materials, like concrete and steel, are responsible for 13% of global emissions. The study suggests that CO2 mineralized cement could significantly help reduce these emissions.

While using end-of-life concrete or other calcium-based waste is limited by the amount of material available, it still offers notable CO2 savings. The focus should now be on improving Carbon Capture and Utilization technologies and cutting costs, according to Empa researchers.

This finding is crucial for decarbonizing the construction sector and meeting sustainability goals.

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